Chick starter recipe

[Kimberly4403]

Do i need to add cod liver oil while im transitioning off the breeders food onto my mix? Or wait until there on my mix 100%? Will the chick crumble the breeder uses stay ok with the oil?

 

[ShanandGem]

Do i need to add cod liver oil while im transitioning off the breeders food onto my mix? Or wait until there on my mix 100%? Will the chick crumble the breeder uses stay ok with the oil?

You absolutely need to add cod liver oil to your blend the minute you start to feed it. Mix it into your homemade feed and then mix with the commercial feed. It won't have any negative effect on the commercial feed.

 

[Kimberly4403]

So if i make up 200g mix 75% breeders mix 25% my mix and add 2mls of cod liver oil how long can i keep this mixture fresh for? Do i tip left overs out after 24hrs?

 

[ShanandGem]

So if i make up 200g mix 75% breeders mix 25% my mix and add 2mls of cod liver oil how long can i keep this mixture fresh for? Do i tip left overs out after 24hrs?

I made up ten days worth of feed for the house sitter not long ago. It will keep.

 

[Kimberly4403]

Do u think i could ferment this recipe?

 

[ShanandGem]

Do u think i could ferment this recipe?

I ferment mine. It is a great candidate for fermentation as it is whole foods and not powdery crumbles.

 

[Kimberly4403]

I ferment mine.  It is a great candidate for fermentation as it is whole foods and not powdery crumbles.

So i could ferment this recipe even with molasses,kelp, herbs and spices already added? And then add cod liver oil when serving it?

 

[ShanandGem]

So i could ferment this recipe even with molasses,kelp, herbs and spices already added? And then add cod liver oil when serving it?

I ferment it with the cod liver oil added.

 

[Kimberly4403]

I ferment it with the cod liver oil added.

Ok great sorryfor all the questions thanks for all ur help so far..

Fermenting question

So when i ferment it i add the feed mix (50%my mix and 50% crumbles from breeder) plus herbs spices kelp molases and cod liver oil into a glass jar cover with filtered water but leave enough room for grains to expand and add a dash of ACV with mother and let sit for a few days at room temp? Then each time i take out a scoop of FF i add the same amount in dry mix and add more water to submerge and stir?
How longcan i keep using same starter for or do ineed to start over everytime?
How do you feed FF can they have 24/7 access to it and just tip out leftovers and refill every morning or do i put out just enough for them to eat within a certain time frame multiple times a day?

 

[ShanandGem]

Ok great sorryfor all the questions thanks for all ur help so far..

Fermenting question

So when i ferment it i add the feed mix (50%my mix and 50% crumbles from breeder) plus herbs spices kelp molases and cod liver oil into a glass jar cover with filtered water but leave enough room for grains to expand and add a dash of ACV with mother and let sit for a few days at room temp? Then each time i take out a scoop of FF i add the same amount in dry mix and add more water to submerge and stir?
How longcan i keep using same starter for or do ineed to start over everytime?
How do you feed FF can they have 24/7 access to it and just tip out leftovers and refill every morning or do i put out just enough for them to eat within a certain time frame multiple times a day?

I probably don't 'ferment' the way most people do. I prepare my feed with all the ingredients. I then portion out a day's worth of feed into a food grade plastic 3 gallon bucket. I fill with water to cover the feed, add 1/4 teaspoon probiotic and leave it over night. I feed EVERYTHING the following day, clean the bucket and let it dry thoroughly before starting again.
My water is from a deep well and is very 'alive'. I start to see bubbling within a few hours. By morning there is a nice yeasty smell. Real die hard fermenters will keep the same culture going forever by never washing their bucket and just adding fresh feed on top of the old with more water. That's not for me; I'm just not comfortable with that approach.

As far as how I feed FF, I feed it twice a day, in dedicated dishes that I wash often (as soon as they start to smell vinegary). Once you get to know your birds you'll very quickly be able to guesstimate how much feed to put out for them. I like the bowls to be empty when I feed the second time, although they do have a small dish of commercial crumbles always available. They hardly touch it though and prefer to wait for the FF.